Citizen Science Puts Weather Reporting in Your Hands

A distant shower falls over Mount Martha, NH (aka, Cherry Mountain).

If you’re anything like me, you probably have an app or two dedicated to weather on your phone. Maybe you have a preferred app for weather forecasts, another for radar data, and yet another for satellite data. Or maybe instead of apps, you have several go-to websites bookmarked for various weather data.

Weather information keeps us informed so that we can prepare appropriately for the weather ahead, short-term or long-term. With colder weather in the forecast, we might pack a few extra layers or pull in a few more logs for the stove. Or, we might receive a warning about a severe storm heading your direction, and so we pack up, head indoors, and keep an eye on its progress.

While your favorite apps or websites might be providing you with weather data, did you know there are a few apps/sites that you can utilize and provide current weather data to aid in research as a citizen scientist?

Here are some apps that I have on my phone and might be of interest to you:

Mountain Rain or Snow

Remote sensing is improving and aiding in filling weather data gaps. However, precipitation phase changes can be difficult over mountainous terrain, and weather stations only provide information at a static location. That is where human observations aid in detailing how precipitation phase changes vary in time and space. Using these apps, with a few taps you can send observations of precipitation during storms at your location.

Forecasting

NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory is collecting weather reports through the free app mPING. What’s “mPING?” It is an acronym for Meteorological Phenomena Identification Near the Ground. The data in turn help define the precipitation that is falling at your location and improve forecasts and radar techniques. That in turn filters down to improve those various other weather apps you might be using for forecasts and radar data.

Cloud Types and Sky Conditions

GLOBE Observer Clouds can be used to observe clouds, mosquito habitats, land cover, and trees. With the cloud observation aspect, you can help document cloud cover, cloud types, cloud opacity, sky conditions, visibilities, and surface conditions along with photographic examples. It is a bit more involved than the prior reporting apps, but with a few taps and snaps, you can contribute your real-world observations for better understanding and interpretation of satellite data vs surface data.

Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer & Meteorologist

905, 2013

When Thunder Roars

adm_mwobs2013-05-09T18:52:47-04:00May 9th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

When Thunder Roars 2013-05-09 18:52:47.000 - Michael Kyle, Summit Intern NULL With spring time upon us the weather in the White Mountain Region is getting nicer. Hikers are making their way back on the trails that have been covered by snow all winter. Don't let the nice

805, 2013

Changes on the Way

adm_mwobs2013-05-08T06:22:44-04:00May 8th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

Changes on the Way 2013-05-08 06:22:44.000 - Mike Carmon, Weather Observer/Meteorologist NULL An incredible stretch will come to an end later today.The month of May still has yet to see any fog for the summit of Mt. Washington, and we are eight days into the month, at

605, 2013

The Observatory heads to Western Alaska!

adm_mwobs2013-05-06T17:48:47-04:00May 6th, 2013|Categories: Historical Posts|

The Observatory heads to Western Alaska! 2013-05-06 17:48:47.000 - Brian Fitzgerald, Weather Observer/Education Specialist Cherfonak, Alaska! The Observatory's Distance Learning Program is excited to announce that we'll be reaching out to another notoriously harsh climate-- Alaska! For the first time in our program's history we'll be connecting

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